Chelsea are growing increasingly confident of signing Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott in the January transfer window, according to TEAMtalk.
Why Chelsea Need a Midfielder
The Blues failed to land a new midfielder after Enzo Fernandez’s departure to Manchester City, with a late move for Monaco’s Lamine Camara falling through on deadline day. Moisés Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, Valentín Barco and Jordan Henderson are the current options, while Xabi Alonso has even deployed full-backs Malo Gusto and Reece James in central areas.
Bournemouth’s Stance on Scott
Scott has reportedly turned down a contract extension, despite the Cherries being willing to include a release clause. His current deal has two years remaining, and Bournemouth still want around £100m should he leave in January.
What Scott Offers
The 23-year-old is a technically gifted box-to-box midfielder who can also cover in defensive midfield or as a number ten. He is tidy in possession and strong when dribbling in tight spaces. He has two goal contributions in six appearances this season, though a muscle injury picked up on England duty is expected to keep him out for more than a month.
Our Take
Scott looks a sensible fit for a Chelsea side short of midfield depth, and his England pedigree suggests he can cope with the demands of a top-six club. However, a fee approaching £100m is steep for a player still developing, and Bournemouth’s stance may make a January deal harder than reports suggest. A summer move could prove more realistic.
